§189. Limitation of liability of owners of vessels for debts

The individual liability of a shipowner shall be limited to the proportion of any or all debts and liabilities that his individual share of the vessel bears to the whole; and the aggregate liabilities of all the owners of a vessel on account of the same shall not exceed the value of such vessels and freight pending: Provided, That this provision shall not prevent any claimant from joining all the owners in one action; nor shall the same apply to wages due to persons employed by said shipowners.

(June 26, 1884, ch. 121, §18, 23 Stat. 57 .)

Codification

This section was enacted as part of the Shipping Act of 1884.

The original text of the proviso read as follows: "Provided, That this provision shall not affect the liability of any owner incurred previous to the passage of this act, nor prevent any claimant from joining all the owners in one action; nor shall the same apply to wages due to persons employed by said shipowners."

The provision concerning liabilities previously incurred was omitted.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 188 of this Appendix.